SRINAGAR: People across Kashmir heaved a sigh of relief on Wednesday as the maximum temperature plummeted and settled around the normal after days of intense heatwave. However, the Jammu division continued to record scorching heat, even as the weatherman predicted a four-day light wet spell in Kashmir starting tomorrow.
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a maximum temperature of 27.5 degrees Celsius, which was just 1.4 degrees Celsius above normal. The station had simmered at 32.6 degrees Celsius yesterday.
Qazigund, the gateway of Kashmir, was the hottest in Kashmir at 28.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Kokernag where the day temperature settled at 28.3 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam, a famous tourist destination, recorded a maximum temperature of 25.6 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded 27.9 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg, a famous ski resort, recorded a maximum temperature of 19.0 degrees Celsius.
Unlike Kashmir, Jammu areas continued to experience an intense heatwave, with Jammu recording the hottest day of the season at 44.8 degrees Celsius today. Katra station also recorded the hottest day of the season at 40.3 degrees Celsius.
According to data shared by the Meteorological department, Banihal recorded a maximum temperature of 30.8 degrees Celsius, while Batote and Bhaderwah recorded 31.9 degrees Celsius and 29.4 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Meanwhile, Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said that the weather is expected to remain partly to generally cloudy on May 30 and 31, with a possibility of light rain and thunder at isolated places.
On June 1 and 2, partly to generally cloudy weather with light rain and thunder at isolated places is expected, he said, adding that weather conditions would improve from June 3, with generally dry weather expected on June 3 and 4.
However, he added that from June 5 to June 7, generally cloudy weather with light rain and thunder is expected at scattered places.
Moreover, in its advisory, the MeT stated that there would be no respite from the heatwave and hot & dry weather conditions over the plains of the Jammu division during the next 7 days.
“Slight relief from heatwave and hot & dry weather conditions is expected during May 30-31 and June 1-2 over most parts of Kashmir and a few hilly areas of Jammu Division,” it reads.
Another spell of heatwave is expected during June 3-4 over the Kashmir division, it said, advising people to avoid heat exposure between 12 noon and 3 PM and to drink plenty of fluids and water, especially vulnerable people (elderly people, infants, and children)—(KNO)
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